Getting ready for winter at home is easy. Just make a household plan
and collect together the items for an emergency kit that that will be essential
to you and your family.
Winter proof your home
- Follow Scottish Water's advice on protecting your pipes.
- Know where your stop valve is and how to turn off your
water.
- If cold weather is forecast, and during a cold snap, keep your
heating on at a low temperature to help prevent pipes from
freezing.
- Know how to turn off your electricity supply at the mains.
- Making your home energy-efficient will make it cheaper and
quicker to heat during cold weather. Call the Scottish Government's
Home
Energy Scotland Hotline on 0800 512 012.
- Check the terms of your household insurance policies, and find
out what cover you have for risks such as flood or storm damage, or
for the costs of temporary accommodation if your home is not
habitable. Consider taking out insurance if you don't have
any.
- Make sure you will be able to to clear your paths and driveway if severe
weather strikes. It's a good idea to keep a shovel (specially
designed snow shovels are particularly good), and some salt or grit
at home, and find out where your nearest local authority public
grit bin is.
- A non-mains powered landline telephone will help you stay in
touch during any disruptions to your power supply.
Keep Healthy
Keep healthy in the winter, and avoid the 'flu.
- If you are over 65 or have a health condition such as heart or
lung problems or if you are pregnant, get your free seasonal flu vaccination to protect yourself
from flu this winter.
- Contact NHS24 if you need to access health
services.
Look after your animals
Winter weather can be hard on pets and livestock. The Scottish SPCA has published winter advice for
animal owners.
Further advice on animal welfare in winter is available on
Ready Scotland.